Curriculum

Year 1

Clinical

The first year of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship focuses on clinical experiences to introduce the trainee to the spectrum of diseases and their progression. Our rotations form the groundwork of the training experience and fellows receive extensive training on both inpatient and outpatient services.

Inpatient and Outpatient Services

• Evaluate, diagnose, and treat pediatric hematologic and oncologic disorders
• Observe and perform technical procedures and activities such as bone marrow aspiration, biopsy, and peripheral blood stem cell collection for transplantation
• Teach aspects of the subspecialty to small and large groups in bedside and didactic settings
• Lead effectively a large multidisciplinary team to provide and enhance patient and family centered care

First year fellows also begin seeing their own patients in a weekly continuity clinic to better understand the breadth and progression of diseases. Rounding out a comprehensive program, fellows participate in the management of home infusions, clinical studies, and laboratory evaluations of their patients, and direct the care of patients hospitalized for dental extraction, surgery, or complications.

Research

The research experience is a vital component of subspecialty training. Fellows work with the program director and associate director to identify a research project and Scholarship Oversight Committee (SOC) that best complements the fellow’s career interest. The fellow selects mentors within Pediatrics and/or the University of Rochester Medical Center. Working closely with their primary research mentor and SOC, each fellow develops a research question in clinical, bench, or translational research. The SOC meets at least every six months to identify and develop a research plan, devise a timeline, discuss possible resources and funding opportunities, and offer career guidance. We have extensive research opportunities to offer trainees both within and outside of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Years 2 & 3

Clinical

During the second year, we minimize clinical responsibilities to allow the fellow to focus on research endeavors. The trainee perfects physician attending skills through the on-call service, weekly team rounds, and weekly continuity clinic. Faculty members allow fellows increasing autonomy in clinical practice, yet are readily available for consult.

Clinically, the third year fellow continues to treat continuity clinic patients and serve on-call time. The senior fellow may choose to spend one month as “junior attending” on the inpatient service, conducting attending rounds and communicating with families, and developing patient care plans. The senior attending physician limits his or her involvement to the most complex cases on an as-needed basis, but supports the fellow and discusses cases.

Additionally, fellows continue to gain experience providing comprehensive care to chronically ill children and illnesses relating to brain tumor, sickle cell, hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant on the following rotations:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Radiation Oncology
• Hematopathology/Pathology
• Pediatric Palliative Care
• Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center at Rochester General Hospital (care of patients of all ages with hemophilia and other coagulation disorders)

Research

The second and third years of the program provide protected time for trainees to pursue and advance their research. By the start of the second year and with close faculty mentorship, fellows begin their training in bench, clinical, or translational research.

During their second year, fellows learn the principles of designing clinical studies or laboratory experiments and gain familiarity with a variety of experimental methods. With the guidance of the SOC, fellows formulate objectives, solidify a detailed research plan, obtain background information, and generate initial data.

The third year provides the trainee time to refine the direction of the research project while preparing abstracts for publication in peer reviewed journals, presentation at national meetings, and submission for extramural funding. By the end of the third year of training, each fellow completes a scholarly work product, which is required to sit for the subspecialty board exam. Third year fellows also have the opportunity to present their research at Pediatric Grand Rounds.